U.S. patent application number 14/627464 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for air conditioner unit, air conditioning system, and air conditioning control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Junichi Ishimine, Tomoko Kutsuzawa, Ikuro Nagamatsu, Kazuhiro Nitta, Tatsurou Shima, Masahiro Takanashi.
Application Number | 20150292753 14/627464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54264794 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150292753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kutsuzawa; Tomoko ; et
al. |
October 15, 2015 |
AIR CONDITIONER UNIT, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AND AIR CONDITIONING
CONTROL METHOD
Abstract
An air conditioner unit includes an air conditioner body, a
first outgoing chamber, an outgoing connection section, an outgoing
communication member, an outgoing port, and an outgoing port
member. Through the first outgoing chamber, adjusted air flowing in
from the air conditioner body is supplied to a target room. Through
the outgoing connection section, the first outgoing chamber
communicates with a second outgoing chamber of an adjacent air
conditioner unit. The outgoing connection section is connected to
the first outgoing chamber. The outgoing communication member is
configured to open and close the outgoing connection section.
Through the outgoing port, the adjusted air is supplied from the
first outgoing chamber to the target room. The outgoing port member
is configured to open and close the outgoing port.
Inventors: |
Kutsuzawa; Tomoko;
(Yokohama, JP) ; Nagamatsu; Ikuro; (Yokohama,
JP) ; Takanashi; Masahiro; (Yokohama, JP) ;
Shima; Tatsurou; (Ota, JP) ; Nitta; Kazuhiro;
(Kawasaki, JP) ; Ishimine; Junichi; (Kawasaki,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJITSU LIMITED |
Kawasaki-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
54264794 |
Appl. No.: |
14/627464 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/232 ;
454/233; 454/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 3/14 20130101; F24F
7/08 20130101; F24F 3/044 20130101; H05K 7/20745 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 3/06 20060101
F24F003/06; F24F 13/06 20060101 F24F013/06; F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08; F24F 1/00 20060101 F24F001/00; F24F 7/08 20060101
F24F007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 11, 2014 |
JP |
2014-082199 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner unit comprising: an air conditioner body; a
first outgoing chamber through which adjusted air flowing in from
the air conditioner body is supplied to a target room; an outgoing
connection section through which the first outgoing chamber
communicates with a second outgoing chamber of an adjacent air
conditioner unit, the outgoing connection section being connected
to the first outgoing chamber; an outgoing communication member
configured to open and close the outgoing connection section; an
outgoing port through which the adjusted air is supplied from the
first outgoing chamber to the target room; and an outgoing port
member configured to open and close the outgoing port.
2. The air conditioner unit according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first incoming chamber through which discharged air
is returned from the target room to the air conditioner body; an
incoming connection section through which the first incoming
chamber communicates with a second incoming chamber of the adjacent
air conditioner unit, the incoming connection section being
connected to the first incoming chamber; an incoming communication
member configured to open and close the incoming connection
section; an incoming port through which the discharged air is
returned from the target room to the first incoming chamber; and an
incoming port member configured to open and close the incoming
port.
3. The air conditioner unit according to claim 2, further
comprising: a backflow suppressing member configured to suppress a
flow of air from the first outgoing chamber to the first incoming
chamber through the air conditioner body.
4. The air conditioner unit according to claim 1, wherein the air
conditioner body includes a cooling device configured to cool
air.
5. The air conditioner unit according to claim 2, wherein a first
outgoing connection section is provided at one end of the first
outgoing chamber and a second outgoing connection section is
provided at another end of the first outgoing chamber, and a first
incoming connection section is provided at one end of the first
incoming chamber and a second incoming connection section is
provided at another end of the first incoming chamber.
6. The air conditioner unit according to claim 1, wherein the first
outgoing chamber and the first incoming chamber have a same
length.
7. An air conditioning system comprising: a first air conditioner
unit including: a first air conditioner body, a first outgoing
chamber through which first adjusted air flowing in from the first
air conditioner body is supplied to a first target room, a first
outgoing connection section connected to the first outgoing
chamber, a first outgoing communication member configured to open
and close the first outgoing connection section, a first outgoing
port through which the first adjusted air is supplied from the
first outgoing chamber to the first target room, and a first
outgoing port member configured to open and close the first
outgoing port; and a second air conditioner unit including: a
second air conditioner body, a second outgoing chamber through
which second adjusted air flowing in from the second air
conditioner body is supplied to a second target room, a second
outgoing connection section through which the second outgoing
chamber communicates with the first outgoing chamber through the
first outgoing connection section, the second outgoing connection
section being connected to the second outgoing chamber, a second
outgoing communication member configured to open and close the
second outgoing connection section, a second outgoing port through
which the second adjusted air is supplied from the second outgoing
chamber to the second target room, and a second outgoing port
member configured to open and close the second outgoing port.
8. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein the
first air conditioner unit further includes: a first incoming
chamber through which first discharged air is returned from the
first target room to the first air conditioner body, a first
incoming connection section connected to the first incoming
chamber, a first incoming communication member configured to open
and close the first incoming connection section, a first incoming
port through which the first discharged air is returned from the
first target room to the first incoming chamber, and a first
incoming port member configured to open and close the first
incoming port, and the second air conditioner unit further
includes: a second incoming chamber through which second discharged
air is returned from the second target room to the second air
conditioner body, a second incoming connection section through
which the second incoming chamber communicates with the first
incoming chamber through the first incoming connection section, the
second incoming connection section being connected to the second
incoming chamber, a second incoming communication member configured
to open and close the second incoming connection section, a second
incoming port through which the second discharged air is returned
from the second target room to the second incoming chamber, and a
second incoming port member configured to open and close the second
incoming port.
9. The air conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein the
second air conditioner unit further includes: a fourth outgoing
connection section connected to the second outgoing chamber, and a
fourth incoming connection section connected to the second incoming
chamber, the air conditioning system further comprising: an air
conditioner spare unit including: an air conditioner spare body, an
outgoing spare chamber through which adjusted air flowing in from
the air conditioner spare body is supplied to the second outgoing
chamber, the outgoing spare chamber being caused to communicate
with the second outgoing chamber through the fourth outgoing
connection section, and an incoming spare chamber through which the
second discharged air is returned from the second incoming chamber
to the air conditioner spare body, the incoming spare chamber being
caused to communicate with the second incoming chamber through the
fourth incoming connection section.
10. An air conditioning control method, comprising: sending, by
each of a plurality of air conditioner units, adjusted air
generated by an air conditioner body from an outgoing chamber to a
target room corresponding to each of the plurality of air
conditioner units, the air conditioner body and the outgoing
chamber being included in each of the plurality of air conditioner
units; returning, by each of the plurality of air conditioner
units, discharged air from the target room to the air conditioner
body through an incoming chamber included in each of the plurality
of air conditioner units; and performing a first reconfiguration
when a desirable amount of adjusted air in a first target room is
changed, wherein the first reconfiguration includes: changing
communication positions of the outgoing chambers included in the
plurality of air conditioner units, the outgoing chambers being
communicably connected with adjacent outgoing chambers, and
changing communication positions of the incoming chambers included
in the plurality of air conditioner units, the incoming chambers
being communicably connected with adjacent incoming chambers.
11. The air conditioning control method according to claim 10,
further comprising: performing a second reconfiguration when a
first air conditioner body included in a first air conditioner unit
is stopped, wherein the second reconfiguration includes: driving an
air conditioner spare body included in an air conditioner spare
unit, causing an outgoing spare chamber to communicate with an
outgoing chamber adjacent to the outgoing spare chamber, the
outgoing spare chamber being included in the air conditioner spare
unit, causing an incoming spare chamber to communicate with an
incoming chamber adjacent to the incoming spare chamber, the
incoming spare chamber being included in the air conditioner spare
unit, changing communication positions of the outgoing chambers,
and changing communication positions of the incoming chambers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-082199
filed on Apr. 11, 2014, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments discussed herein are related to an air
conditioner unit, an air conditioning system, and an air
conditioning control method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There is an air conditioning system that processes an outlet
air of a cold water coil by a package air conditioner, blows out
the air into an underfloor chamber, and blows out the air from an
air outlet to a rack equipped with a communication apparatus.
[0004] A related technique is disclosed in, for example, Japanese
Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-168479.
[0005] In an air conditioning system, a plurality of air
conditioner units exhibit supply capacity of desirable adjusted air
and, in addition, the air conditioning system may be redundant by
preparing a spare air conditioner in advance.
[0006] However, if the spare air conditioner is provided in each of
the plurality of air conditioner units, the number of spare air
conditioners is excessive.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is
an air conditioner unit including an air conditioner body, a first
outgoing chamber, an outgoing connection section, an outgoing
communication member, an outgoing port, and an outgoing port
member. Through the first outgoing chamber, adjusted air flowing in
from the air conditioner body is supplied to a target room. Through
the outgoing connection section, the first outgoing chamber
communicates with a second outgoing chamber of an adjacent air
conditioner unit. The outgoing connection section is connected to
the first outgoing chamber. The outgoing communication member is
configured to open and close the outgoing connection section.
Through the outgoing port, the adjusted air is supplied from the
first outgoing chamber to the target room. The outgoing port member
is configured to open and close the outgoing port.
[0008] The object and advantages of the invention will be realized
and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the claims.
[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air
conditioning system of a first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner
unit;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a connection state of
air conditioner units;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control
flow of the air conditioning system of the first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an air conditioning
system of a first comparative example;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control
flow of the air conditioning system of the first embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the first embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an air conditioning
system of a second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an air conditioning
system of a third embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating an air conditioning
system of a fourth embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a plan view illustrating the air conditioning
system of the fourth embodiment; and
[0027] FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating an air conditioning
system of a second comparative example.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0028] A first embodiment will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an air conditioning system 12 including
air conditioner units 14 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2
illustrates one of the air conditioner units 14. The air
conditioning system 12 includes a plurality of air conditioner
units 14.
[0030] The air conditioning system 12 of the first embodiment sends
adjusted air, for example, from an underfloor chamber 16 to a
server room 18 and cools a plurality of servers 22 disposed in the
server room 18. The server room 18 is an example of an air
conditioning target room. A structure including a plurality of
server rooms 18 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and the like includes a
data center and the like.
[0031] Air of the server room 18 returns through a ceiling chamber
20 to the air conditioner units 14. In the first embodiment, the
underfloor chamber 16, the server room 18, and the ceiling chamber
20 are integrated as a server module. In the first embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, three air conditioner units 14 correspond to
one server module.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2 in detail, an air conditioner unit
14 includes an air conditioner body 24. The air conditioner body 24
adjusts flow-in air and makes the air flow out. In the present
embodiment, the air conditioner body 24 includes a cooling device
26 therein. The air conditioner body 24 cools the flow-in air with
the cooling device 26. As illustrated in FIG. 4, driving of the air
conditioner body 24 is controlled by a control device 28.
[0033] The air conditioner unit 14 includes an air supply chamber
30 and a return air chamber 32. Each of the air supply chamber 30
and the return air chamber 32 is connected to the air conditioner
body 24 by a duct 34.
[0034] The air supply chamber 30 includes an air supply port 36
connected to the underfloor chamber 16. The air supply port 36 is
provided with an air supply port opening and closing member 38 that
is controlled to be opened or closed by the control device 28. The
return air chamber 32 includes a return air port 40 connected to
the ceiling chamber 20. The return air port 40 is provided with a
return air port opening and closing member 42 that is controlled to
be opened or closed by the control device 28.
[0035] If the air conditioner body 24 is driven in a state where
the air supply port opening and closing member 38 and the return
air port opening and closing member 42 are opened, as illustrated
by arrows F1 in FIG. 1, the adjusted air flows from the air supply
chamber 30 to the server room 18 through the underfloor chamber 16.
Then, as illustrated by arrows F2 in FIG. 1, the air of the server
room 18 flows to the air conditioner body 24 through the ceiling
chamber 20 and the return air chamber 32. That is, a circulation
path 44 in which the air returns from the air supply chamber 30 to
the return air chamber 32 through the server room 18 is formed.
[0036] If at least one of the air supply port opening and closing
member 38 and the return air port opening and closing member 42 is
closed, the circulation path 44 is also closed and the flow of the
air illustrated by the arrows F1 and F2 may be inhibited. That is,
the air supply port opening and closing member 38 and the return
air port opening and closing member 42 may be said to be examples
of a circulation path opening and closing member.
[0037] As illustrated by arrows F3 in FIG. 3, the air that is
returned to the return air chamber 32 flows from the return air
chamber 32 to the air supply chamber 30 through the air conditioner
body 24. The duct 34 is provided with a backflow suppression member
46 that suppresses the flow (backflow) of the air in a reverse
direction of the arrows F3. As the backflow suppression member 46,
for example, a check valve may be used.
[0038] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, both the air supply chamber
30 and the return air chamber 32 are rectangular tubular members
and disposed in such a manner that a longitudinal direction (arrow
direction L2 in FIGS. 2 and 3) is a lateral direction. The lateral
direction coincides with an arrangement direction (arrow direction
L1 in FIG. 1) of the plurality of air conditioner units 14.
Furthermore, a length L3 of the air supply chamber 30 is equal to a
length L4 of the return air chamber 32.
[0039] Air supply side connection sections 48 are provided on one
end side and the other end side of the air supply chamber 30 in the
longitudinal direction. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an air supply
side opening and closing member 50 is provided in each of the air
supply side connection sections 48. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the
air supply side opening and closing member 50 is controlled to be
opened or closed by the control device 28.
[0040] Return air side connection sections 52 are provided on one
end side and the other end side of the return air chamber 32 in the
longitudinal direction. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a return air side
opening and closing member 54 is provided in each of the return air
side connection sections 52. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the return
air side opening and closing member 54 is controlled to be opened
or closed by the control device 28.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, in the air conditioning
system 12, the plurality of air conditioner units 14 are arranged
in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the air
supply chamber 30. The air supply chambers 30 of the air
conditioner units 14 are connected at the air supply side
connection sections 48 and the return air chamber 32 is connected
at the return air side connection sections 52.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, a
plurality (this represents a natural number N; N=3 in FIG. 5) of
air conditioner units 14 are provided with respect to one server
room 18 (air conditioning target room).
[0043] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in the first
embodiment, a spare machine unit 62 is provided at an end in the
arrangement direction of the air conditioner units 14. As
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spare machine unit 62 includes an
air conditioning spare machine body 64, the air supply chamber 30,
and the return air chamber 32. The air supply chamber 30 of the
spare machine unit 62 is an example of an air supply spare chamber
and the return air chamber 32 is an example of a return air spare
chamber.
[0044] The air supply chamber 30 of the spare machine unit 62 is
connected to the air supply chamber 30 of an adjacent air
conditioner unit 14 by an air supply side connection section 48.
Similarity, the return air chamber 32 of the spare machine unit 62
is connected to the return air chamber 32 of the adjacent air
conditioner unit 14 by a return air side connection section 52.
[0045] However, the spare machine unit 62 itself does not
correspond to a particular server room 18 (air conditioning target
room) and the air supply port 36 and the return air port 40 of the
spare machine unit 62 remain closed.
[0046] As described above, the spare machine unit 62 may employ the
same structure as that of the air conditioner unit 14 except that
the air supply port 36 and the return air port 40 are not connected
to the server room 18. Thus, the air conditioner unit 14 may be
used as the spare machine unit 62. Instead of this, for example, a
structure in which the air supply port 36 and the return air port
40 are omitted in the air conditioner unit 14 may be provided as a
new spare machine unit 62.
[0047] According to the first embodiment, since such an air
conditioning spare machine body 64 is provided, redundancy is
achieved in the air conditioning system 12, as an ability to send
the adjusted air, by the number (one in FIG. 5) of the air
conditioning spare machine bodies 64.
[0048] The control device 28 grasps a relationship between each
load and power consumption of the air conditioner body 24 on the
basis of a built-in database or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
in the first embodiment, the control device 28 grasps, for each
server room 18, a plurality of air conditioner units 14 that cool
the server room 18 as a unit set 14G. The control device 28 grasps
the load of each server room 18 by power measurement or the like.
Furthermore, the control device 28 grasps a driving state of the
air conditioner body 24 and the air conditioning spare machine body
64, and an opening and closing state of the air supply port opening
and closing member 38, the return air port opening and closing
member 42, the air supply side opening and closing member 50, and
the return air side opening and closing member 54.
[0049] Next, an operation and an air conditioning control method of
the first embodiment will be described.
[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the air conditioning
system 12 of the first embodiment includes the plurality of air
conditioner units 14.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a state where all air conditioner bodies
24 of the plurality of air conditioner units 14 are driven. At this
time, driving of the air conditioning spare machine body 64 is
stopped. In the drawings, "x" is given to the air conditioner body
24 and the air conditioning spare machine body 64 of which driving
are stopped.
[0052] The air supply side opening and closing member 50 and the
return air side opening and closing member 54 positioned at a
boundary of the server room 18 are closed. Furthermore, the air
supply side opening and closing member 50 and the return air side
opening and closing member 54 between the air conditioner unit 14
and the spare machine unit 62 are also closed. In the drawings, "x"
is given to the air supply side connection section 48 and the
return air side connection section 52 which are closed.
[0053] Thus, for each of the plurality of server rooms 18, the
adjusted air is sent from N (N=3 in FIG. 5) air conditioner bodies
24. Then, the air is returned from each server room 18 to the same
N air conditioner bodies 24. The control device 28 grasps the load
of each air conditioner body 24, the air conditioning spare machine
body 64, and each server room 18.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a flowchart of an air
conditioning control method in the air conditioning system 12 of
the first embodiment. According to this control flow, even when one
of the air conditioner bodies 24 is stopped, it is possible to send
the adjusted air from N air conditioner bodies 24 to each server
room 18 by driving the air conditioning spare machine body 64 that
has been stopped.
[0055] In the control flow, first, in S12, presence or absence of
an air conditioner body 24 that is stopped is determined. If it is
determined that the air conditioner body 24 that is stopped is
absent, the control flow is finished. A cause of stoppage of the
air conditioner body 24 is not specifically limited and, for
example, stoppage for inspection is also included in addition to
the stoppage due to failure.
[0056] If it is determined that an air conditioner body 24 (air
conditioner body 24N in FIG. 7) that is stopped is present, the air
conditioning spare machine body 64 is driven in S14. Then, the air
supply chamber 30 (air supply spare chamber) of the spare machine
unit 62 is caused to communicate with the air supply chamber 30 of
the adjacent air conditioner unit 14 and the return air chamber 32
(return air spare chamber) of the spare machine unit 62 is caused
to communicate with the return air chamber 32 of the adjacent air
conditioner unit 14.
[0057] In S16, the opening and closing states of the air supply
side opening and closing member 50 and the return air side opening
and closing member 54 are changed and communication positions
between the air supply chambers 30 and communication positions
between the return air chambers 32 are changed. Specifically, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication positions are changed so
that the air conditioner units 14 sending the adjusted air to each
server room 18 are shifted, between the air conditioner body 24N
that is stopped and the air conditioning spare machine body 64, by
one towards the air conditioning spare machine body 64 side.
[0058] In S18, the air supply port opening and closing member 38
and the return air port opening and closing member 42 of the air
conditioner unit 14 in which the destination of adjusted air is
changed are closed. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, for
example, the air supply port opening and closing member 38 and the
return air port opening and closing member 42 of the air
conditioner unit 14M are closed. In the drawings, "x" is given to
the air supply port opening and closing member 38 and the return
air port opening and closing member 42 which are closed.
[0059] Thus, even if one of the air conditioner bodies 24 is
stopped, it is possible to send the adjusted air from N air
conditioner bodies 24 (including the air conditioning spare machine
body 64) to each server room 18.
[0060] In the control flow illustrated in FIG. 6, the order of S14,
S16, and S18 may be different from that in the above description
and any or all of the processes may be performed concurrently.
[0061] FIG. 8 illustrates an air conditioning system 112 of a first
comparative example.
[0062] In the air conditioning system 112 of the first comparative
example, N (N=3 in FIG. 8) air conditioner bodies 24 are provided
in each server room 18 and one air conditioning spare machine body
64 is provided in each server room 18.
[0063] Thus, the number of the air conditioning spare machine
bodies 64 that are provided in the air conditioning system 112 of
the first comparative example is the same as the number of the
server rooms 18.
[0064] In the air conditioning system 12 of the first embodiment,
in a case where one air conditioner body 24 is stopped, it is
possible to ensure redundancy without providing the air
conditioning spare machine body 64 in each server room 18. Since
one air conditioning spare machine body 64 may ensure redundancy,
it is possible to reduce the number of the air conditioning spare
machine bodies 64 compared to the air conditioning system 112 of
the first comparative example. The reduction of the number of the
air conditioning spare machine bodies 64 allows reduction of the
cost and conservation of the space (narrowing an installation
space) of the air conditioning system 12.
[0065] The air conditioning system 12 of the first embodiment
includes the air conditioning spare machine body 64. Since the air
conditioning spare machine body 64 includes the air supply chamber
30 (air supply spare chamber), it is possible to easily and
reliably be connected to the air supply chamber 30 of the adjacent
air conditioner body 24. Furthermore, since the air conditioning
spare machine body 64 includes the return air chamber 32 (return
air spare chamber), it is possible to easily and reliably be
connected to the return air chamber 32 of the adjacent air
conditioner body 24.
[0066] In the air conditioning system 12 of the first embodiment,
if a desirable amount of the adjusted air of each server room 18 is
changed, it is possible to adjust a sending amount of the adjusted
air to the server room 18 by a control flow of the air conditioning
control method illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0067] In a control flow illustrated in FIG. 9, in S22, presence or
absence of a server room 18 in which the desirable amount of the
adjusted air is reduced is determined. If it is determined that
there is a server room 18 (server room 18A in FIGS. 10 and 11) in
which the desirable amount of the adjusted air is reduced, presence
or absence of a server room 18 in which the desirable amount of the
adjusted air is increased is determined in S24.
[0068] If it is determined that the server room 18 in which the
desirable amount of the adjusted air is increased is absent, an air
conditioner body 24 of the air conditioner unit 14 which sends the
adjusted air to a server room 18A in which the desirable amount of
the adjusted air is reduced is stopped in S26. Specifically, in the
example illustrated in FIG. 10, the air conditioner body 24A of an
air conditioner unit 14A is stopped. Then, the control flow is
finished.
[0069] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the number of the
server rooms 18 in which the desirable amount of the adjusted air
is reduced is one, however, the number of the server rooms 18 in
which the desirable amount of the adjusted air is reduced may be
two (or more) as illustrated FIG. 12. In this case, it is possible
to stop air conditioner bodies 24 corresponding to the server rooms
18 in which the desirable amount of the adjusted air is reduced. It
is possible to send the adjusted air from two air conditioner
bodies 24 to a server room 18 in which the desirable amount of the
adjusted air is increased.
[0070] If it is determined that a server room 18 (server room 18B
illustrated in FIG. 12) in which the desirable amount of the
adjusted air is increased is present, in S28, the communication
positions between the air supply chambers 30 and the communication
positions between the return air chambers 32 are changed by
changing the opening and closing states of the air supply side
opening and closing members 50 and the return air side opening and
closing members 54. Specifically, the opening and closing states of
specific air supply side opening and closing members 50 and
specific return air side opening and closing members 54 are changed
as illustrated in FIG. 12 and thereby, the communication positions
are changed so that the air conditioner units 14 sending the
adjusted air to each server room 18 between the server room 18A and
the server room 18B are shifted by one toward the server room 18A
side.
[0071] In S30, the air supply port opening and closing members 38
and the return air port opening and closing members 42 of air
conditioner units 14B in which the destination of the adjusted air
is changed are closed. Then, the control flow is finished.
[0072] If it is determined in S22 that the server room 18 in which
the desirable amount of the adjusted air is reduced is absent,
presence or absence of a server room 18 in which the desirable
amount of the adjusted air is increased is determined in S32.
[0073] If it is determined that the server room 18 in which the
desirable amount of the adjusted air is increased is absent, the
control flow is finished.
[0074] If it is determined that a server room 18 (server room 18B
illustrated in FIG. 13) in which the desirable amount of the
adjusted air is increased is present, the air conditioning spare
machine body 64 is driven in S34.
[0075] Then in S28, the communication positions between the air
supply chambers 30 and the communication positions between the
return air chambers 32 are changed by changing the opening and
closing states of the air supply side opening and closing members
50 and the return air side opening and closing members 54.
Specifically, the opening and closing states of specific air supply
side opening and closing members 50 and specific return air side
opening and closing members 54 are changed as illustrated in FIG.
13 and thereby, the communication positions are changed so that the
air conditioner units 14 sending the adjusted air to each server
room 18 between an air conditioner body 24C corresponding to the
server room 18B and the air conditioning spare machine body 64 are
shifted by one towards the air conditioning spare machine body 64
side.
[0076] In S30, the air supply port opening and closing members 38
and the return air port opening and closing members 42 of the air
conditioner units 14 in which the destination of the adjusted air
is changed are closed.
[0077] Thus, according to the present embodiment, if the desirable
amount of the adjusted air of each server room 18 is changed, the
communication states between the air supply chambers 30 and the
communication states between the return air chambers 32 are changed
depending on the change of the desirable amount of the adjusted
air, and it is possible to send the adjusted air of an appropriate
amount to each server room 18.
[0078] In the first embodiment, each air conditioner unit 14
includes the air supply side connection section 48 and the return
air side connection section 52. The air supply side connection
section 48 may be opened and closed by the air supply side opening
and closing member 50 and the return air side connection section 52
may be opened and closed by the return air side opening and closing
member 54. By arranging a plurality of air conditioner units 14 in
a line, it is possible to realize an air conditioning system 12 in
which the air supply chambers 30 are connected to each other, the
return air chambers 32 are connected to each other, and the air
supply side connection sections 48 and the return air side
connection sections 52 are controlled to be opened and closed.
[0079] Two air supply side connection sections 48 are included in
one air supply chamber 30 and two return air side connection
sections 52 are included in one return air chamber 32. Thus, in the
air conditioning system 12 in which three or more air conditioner
units are arranged, it is possible to apply the air conditioner
unit 14 midway (other than both ends) in the arrangement direction.
In other words, it is possible to realize an air conditioning
system in which three or more air conditioner units are arranged by
using the air conditioner units 14.
[0080] The two air supply side connection sections 48 are
respectively provided on one end side and the other end side of one
air supply chamber 30. The two return air side connection sections
52 are respectively provided on one end side and the other end side
of one return air chamber 32. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, it is
possible to realize an air conditioning system 12 having a
structure in which a plurality of air conditioner units 14 are
linearly arranged.
[0081] Since the air supply chamber 30 and the return air chamber
32 have the same length as each other, when the plurality of air
conditioner units 14 are arranged, no gap is formed anywhere
between the air supply chambers 30 and between the return air
chambers 32. That is, it is possible to connect the air supply
chambers 30 to each other and the return air chambers 32 to each
other without using additional connection members to fill a
gap.
[0082] Since each air conditioner unit 14 includes the air supply
port opening and closing member 38 and the return air port opening
and closing member 42, it is possible to easily switch the opening
and closing state of the circulation path 44. The air supply port
opening and closing member 38 and the return air port opening and
closing member 42 are examples of the circulation path opening and
closing member and either one may switch the opening and closing
state of the circulation path 44.
[0083] Since the air supply port opening and closing member 38 is
provided in the air supply port 36 and the return air port opening
and closing member 42 is provided in the return air port 40, which
are examples of the circulation path opening and closing member, it
is possible to switch the opening and closing state of the
circulation path without changing the structure of the server room
18.
[0084] Particularly, it is possible to effectively suppress the
outflow of the adjusted air from the air supply chamber 30 to the
air conditioning target room (the server room 18) and it is
possible to suppress the circulation of the air through the
circulation path 44 by providing the air supply port opening and
closing member 38.
[0085] The air conditioner unit 14 includes the backflow
suppression member 46. Thus, for example, it is possible to
suppress the flow of the air from the air supply chamber 30 to the
return air chamber 32 through the air conditioner body 24, that is,
backflow of gas.
[0086] Since the air conditioner body 24 includes the cooling
device 26, it is possible to send cooled air as the adjusted air to
the server room 18 and to effectively cool the servers 22.
[0087] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second
embodiment, similar reference numerals are given to similar
elements, members, and the like as those of the first embodiment,
and a detailed description will be omitted.
[0088] In the first embodiment described above, the spare machine
unit 62 is provided at an end in the arrangement direction of the
air conditioner units 14, but in an air conditioning system 72 of
the second embodiment, the spare machine unit 62 is provided midway
in the arrangement direction of the air conditioner unit 14 as
illustrated in FIG. 14. The air supply chamber 30 and the return
air chamber 32 of the spare machine unit 62 are respectively
connected to the air supply chambers 30 and the return air chambers
32 of the adjacent air conditioner units 14 on both sides by the
air supply side connection sections 48 and the return air side
connection sections 52.
[0089] As described above, the position of the spare machine unit
62 is not limited. Furthermore, the spare machine units 62 may be
disposed at an end and midway in the arrangement direction of the
air conditioner units 14.
[0090] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third
embodiment, similar reference numerals are given to similar
elements, members, and the like as those of the first and second
embodiments, and a detailed description will be omitted.
[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 15, in an air conditioning system 82
of the third embodiment, the number of air conditioner units 14
sending the adjusted air to a specific server room 18D is great.
Specifically, one air conditioner unit 14D is added in the
arrangement direction of the air conditioner units 14 and one air
conditioner unit 14E is added in a direction orthogonal to the
arrangement direction of the air conditioner units 14. Further, the
spare machine unit 62 is connected to the air conditioner unit
14E.
[0092] Compared to the first and second embodiment, it is possible
to increase supply capacity of the adjusted air with respect to the
specific server room 18D in the third embodiment.
[0093] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth
embodiment, similar reference numerals are given to similar
elements, members, and the like as those of the first to third
embodiments, and a detailed description will be omitted.
[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 16, in the fourth embodiment, a
server room is large compared to the first to third embodiments and
one air conditioning system 92 corresponds to one server room 98.
The adjusted air is sent to a server set 22G (the number of sets is
referred to as K; K=5 in FIG. 16) of servers 22 from each of N (N
is a natural number; N=4 in FIG. 16) air conditioner units 14. As a
whole, N.times.K air conditioner units 14 and at least one (one in
FIG. 16) spare machine unit 62 are provided in the air conditioning
system 92.
[0095] In the fourth embodiment, in a state where all air
conditioner bodies 24 of the plurality of air conditioner units 14
are driven and the spare machine unit 62 is stopped, the adjusted
air is sent from N (K.times.N in total) air conditioner bodies 24
to each of K server sets 22G. The air is returned from the server
room 98 to the air conditioner bodies 24.
[0096] In the fourth embodiment, when one of the air conditioner
bodies 24 is stopped, for example, control similar to the control
flow illustrated in FIG. 6 is performed and thereby, it is possible
to send the adjusted air from N air conditioner bodies 24 to each
server set 22G as illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0097] In the fourth embodiment, if a desirable amount of the
adjusted air of each server set 22G is changed, it is possible to
adjust a sending amount of the adjusted air to the server set 22G
by the control flow of the air conditioning control method
illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0098] In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to employ the
structure in which the spare machine unit 62 is disposed midway in
the arrangement direction of the air conditioner unit 14 as in the
second embodiment.
[0099] FIG. 18 illustrates an air conditioning system 122 of a
second comparative example. In the second comparative example, a
plurality of air conditioner bodies 24 and one air conditioning
spare machine body 64 are provided for each of a plurality of
server sets 22G in a server room 18. That is, the air conditioning
system 122 of the second comparative example includes the same
number of the air conditioning spare machine bodies 64 as that of
the server sets 22G.
[0100] According to the air conditioning system 92 of the fourth
embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of the air
conditioning spare machine bodies 64 compared to the air
conditioning system 122 of the second comparative example.
[0101] In each embodiment described above, it is assumed that an
air amount (ability to supply the adjusted air) of each air
conditioner body 24 and the air conditioning spare machine body 64
is stable, but the air amount of the air conditioner body 24 may be
variable.
[0102] If the air amount of the air conditioner body 24 is
variable, when assigning the same number of the air conditioner
bodies 24 to each server room 18, there may be a server room 18 in
which the load for each air conditioner body 24 becomes the minimum
and a server room 18 in which the load becomes the maximum. The
control device 28 may calculate the loads of an entire air
conditioning system 12 in a case where air conditioner bodies 24 of
the same number are assigned to each server room 18. Furthermore,
the control device 28 may calculate the loads of the entire air
conditioning system 12 in a case where the number of the air
conditioner bodies 24 assigned to a server room 18 in which the
load of the air conditioner bodies 24 becomes the minimum is
decreased and the number of the air conditioner bodies 24 assigned
to a server room 18 in which the load becomes the maximum is
increased. Then, it is possible to change the air amount of the air
conditioner bodies 24 or a corresponding relationship between a
server room 18 and air conditioner units 14 so as to set the load
to be the lower of the calculated two loads.
[0103] In each embodiment described above, since the air
conditioner body 24 and the air conditioning spare machine body 64
include the cooling device 26, it is possible to reliably
(forcedly) cool the air by the air conditioner body 24 and the air
conditioning spare machine body 64.
[0104] All examples and conditional language recited herein are
intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in
understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the
inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the
specification relate to a showing of superiority or inferiority of
the invention. Although the embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail, it should be understood that various
changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *